We've used several specialty tapes for the last few years to both speeding up fretwork and protect surfaces. The low tack white paper tape shown is from TransferRite, and the narrower width blue tapes are from XFasten (1/2") and 3M (1/4"); Stewmac recently started carrying both the TransferRite and narrower orange-colored American OM-branded masking tapes at reasonable prices. Here are a few applications:

1. Fret Edge Bevel Telltale

We use tabs of the 1/4" width tape - 4 to 6 total, depending on fretboard length) to show when the fret edge bevel has been cut to the fretboard edge. The tape should be snugged up against the frets for a true reading, as a rolled or worn fretboard edge may result in a deeper bevel at the fret than between frets. The tape will show a thin spot when the bevel is close, then will cut the tape as the bevel reaches the fretboard edge.

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2. Fretboard and Neck Masking

A strip of 1" low tack tape is applied just below each fretboard edge to tie together all of the individual pieces of tape masking the face for easier removal as well as to protect failing or delicate finishes on vintage necks. Even after aggressive buffing, most of the fretboard face masking comes off in one or two pieces.

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3. Faster Fretboard Face Masking

1", 1/2", and 1/4" largely avoid any need to trim tape to width, so speed application.

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4. Protecting Delicate Finishes on Body

By applying 1" or 3" low tack tape before moving to medium or high tack tape to mask or mark (e.g., bridge patch 'dam' to glue up bridge), damage to aged or delicate finishes can be avoided. We routinely do the first layer of protective masks with the white low tack tape, then use higher tack tape to hold components, etc. The low tack of the white TransferRite tape is still more than enough to stay in place, and the stronger blue tape handles jobs that require higher tack, such as holding masks.

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Thanks! I don't believe any of this is really new - just what we do in this shop to add a little more consistency to the process or to save a bit of time.

On the fret end bevel, we offer 15, 22-1/2, 30, and 35 degree bevels...it is definitely a customer preference item. The 15 degree bevel seems to be the answer for narrower necks like the Fenders and some of the narrower Gibsons, but we usually see those players with wider boards (e.g., the 1-3/4" nut/2-5/16" pin Martins) opt for more bevel where the strings have quite a bit of set-back from the edge of the board.

The customer for the Les Paul pictured had received his SG refret from us a day before these shots were taken, and called as we were starting tape-up to request more bevel and a bit more roll on the Les Paul ...despite what for us is a lot of edge roll on top of a 15 degree bevel. After the boss got done turning the air blue, I re-beveled the LP to 30 degrees and we used a much reduced edge roll, knowing what the increased bevel angle would do for feel (this is why the bevel looks a little wider in the later photos). At close to $400 per guitar for a stainless refret and related work, we split the SG tweaks with the customer. Had the owner not been one of the best young players we've seen lately, and able to notice very minor tweaks (versus some of the players that claim to have that ability, sans any evidence), I suspect we'd have pushed back a bit harder.

Not really a funny story at all if repair is a revenue generator, but it illustrates why some shops lock down their choices on wire size, bevel, etc.

We have suggested to StewMac that they offer the dual and triple roll 'deluxe' industrial tape dispensers we use in the shop (perhaps branded and in the SM red color?). These dispensers are available from a number of sources and in a number of different brandings (InLine, U-Line, etc.). The triple carries a single roll of 1", two rolls of 1/2", and two or three rolls of the 1/4" tape when on the repair benches, so fewer reloads needed for a busy shop. The triple dispensers seem to be a good match between having enough mass to stay put on smooth bench surfaces or carpet squares, types or sizes of tape available from a single dispenser, and ease of moving the dispenser around the shop as needed. Dispensers with more rolls are available for fixed locations such as shipping departments, but they sacrifice portability for utility.

Here are links to the two and three roll (nominal 1" width) tape dispensers we favor:

The same dispensers are offered by Uline as their 'deluxe' model at $21 (2"/two roll) and $24 (3"/three roll) in quantity of one or two...with shipping, the pricing is not far off what Prime users pay.

Finally - avoid confusing these deluxe dispensers with the standard industrial models - the metal guide bars on the deluxe models are much better at keeping tapes sorted for use.

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